Northern Illinois University vs Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
Northern Illinois University is a public university in Dekalb, IL. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is a public university in Carbondale, IL. Northern Illinois University admits about 70% of applicants and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale about 87%, making Northern Illinois University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,297 a year at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale after aid, and about $13,391 at Northern Illinois University. About 59% of students graduate at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, compared with 49% at Northern Illinois University. Ten years after enrolling, Northern Illinois University alumni earn a median of about $57,808, against $53,390 for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
Dekalb, IL
Carbondale, IL
Setting
Suburban
Suburban
Undergraduates
11,301
8,494
Acceptance rate
70%
87%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.37–3.87
3.28–3.78
SAT (middle 50%)
940–1170
900–1160
ACT (middle 50%)
19–25
18–25
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$13,391
$13,297
Full cost / yr
$28,851
$28,329
In-state tuition
$13,248
$13,334
Out-of-state tuition
$13,248
$13,334
Application fee
Not reported
$40
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$10,126
$9,415
$30k - $48k
$9,854
$8,497
$48k - $75k
$12,797
$10,308
$75k - $110k
$17,612
$17,724
Over $110k
$21,834
$23,254
Outcomes
Graduation rate
49%
59%
Freshman retention
70%
67%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$46,113
$43,087
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,808
$53,390
Median debt at graduation
$22,162
$21,543
Student body
Pell grant recipients
47%
39%
First-generation students
38%
35%
International students
2%
2%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Rolling
Rolling
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale harder to get into?
- Northern Illinois University is harder to get into. It admits about 70% of applicants, compared with 87% at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,297 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,391 at Northern Illinois University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Before aid, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale costs about $28,329 a year and Northern Illinois University about $28,851. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $9,415 there, against about $10,126 at Northern Illinois University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale?
- Northern Illinois University is the larger of the two, with about 11,301 undergraduates against 8,494 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
- Does Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale have a better graduation rate?
- Southern Illinois University-Carbondale has the higher graduation rate, at about 59% against 49% at Northern Illinois University.
- Do graduates of Northern Illinois University or Southern Illinois University-Carbondale earn more?
- Northern Illinois University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $57,808 ten years after enrolling, against about $53,390 for Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale require SAT or ACT scores?
- Northern Illinois University is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Southern Illinois University-Carbondale is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University-Carbondale look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 940–1170 at Northern Illinois University and 900–1160 at Southern Illinois University-Carbondale. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
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Which of these is the better fit for you?
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